TOLEDO, Ohio—Dropping their fourth straight game, the Northern Illinois University Huskies volleyball team (2-10, 0-2 MAC) were swept by the University of Toledo Rockets (9-5, 2-0 MAC) this afternoon.  The Huskies posted set scores of 18-25, 23-25, and 19-25.
 
"They (Toledo) are a balanced team, and our offense became a bit too predictable at times," said NIU head coach Sondra D'Amore. "(We need to) continue to find ways to finish sets. We're getting closer and closer, just have to stay the course."
 
Game Recap
 
Nazli Güvener (Ankara, Turkey/Elvankent Sinar) picked up where she left off last night, grabbing two early kills to time the game at six. Alexa Hayes (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) answered a 3-0 run by the Rockets at 9-7 as the Huskies scored three of the next four points with Toledo leading 10-9. Starting with a kill by Ava Grevengoed (Shorewood, Ill./Joliet West), the Huskies went on a 4-0 run to bring the score to 14-13. The teams traded scoring runs before Toledo took the first set from the Huskies, 25-18.
 
Starting the second set, the Huskies saw kills from Rylea Alvin (Randolph, Wis./Randolph), Hayes, and Charli Atiemo (Milford, Mich./Farmington Hills Mercy) as they took a 5-2 lead over the Rockets. Toledo had three unanswered points to tie the game at five as Grevengoed grabbed two quick service aces and a four-point lead for the Huskies to force a Toledo timeout. Ella Strausberger (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) added an ace for the Huskies while a kill by Hayes put the Huskies up by five at 13-8. Toledo took the lead late at 23-20, holding off a late Huskie charge for the second set.
 
Alvin and Hayes teamed up for a block for the Huskies first point of the third set, ending a 6-0 run by Toledo. Sending Crew Hoffmeier (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) to the service line, the Huskies had three consecutive points to bring the game within two at 7-5. An attacking error by the Rockets put the score at 8-7 as Toledo embarked on a 4-0 run that which was ended by Grevengoed and Atiemo kills. Toledo built their lead to eight at 24-16 before Atiemo added a kill for the Huskies. Strausberger and Atiemo combined for a block while Nikolette Nedic (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale Central) added a kill as Toledo swept the Huskies.
 
Huskie Highlights

• Alvin and Hayes led the team in blocks, with three each.
• Grevengoed and Hayes combined for 12 of the Huskies 29 kills.
• Grevengoed had two service aces in the game as the Huskies recorded five total. Grevengoed has led the Huskies in service aces in six games this season.

 
The Huskies begin a four-game homestand on Oct. 3, as they host the University of Akron at 6 p.m. Action will take place in Victor E. Court, located inside the NIU Convocation Center.